Olive Wood Tasbih and Ebony Tasbih | 10mm Round Beads

Description of 10mm Olive Wood and Ebony Tasbih

Two sacred plants produce two exceptional woods; the olive tree and diospyros, the mother of ebony. Rumi’s Garden has enlisted a family run tasbih guild from the heart of Cairo, close to the tomb of Imam al-Husayn, to bring together these two materials which are a powerful symbol of the spiritual quest.

Al-Razi states, in his al-Tafsiir al-Kabir, that the oil of the olive tree, when it is pure and viewed from a distance, looks as if it has rays emanating from it; likewise, the heart of the faithful acts according to right guidance which leads to understanding then inner illumination. Ebony, which is a dense black wood, represents the final stage of illumination; that of fana (annihiation) which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ expressed in his saying: ‘Die before you die’.

Smooth to the touch, this particular set of prayer beads is a reminder to the dhakir to hold on patiently to the path of remembrance. The subtle fragrance of olive oil, produced when the beads are used, is a humble reflection of paradise which we all strive towards.

The black and brown tassels of this sibha were made by young West African students of the Islamic sciences. Their tasseling craft is a well kept secret, which we pray they will pass on to their children.